My situation:

I’m using this Bluetooth keyboard with my Mac Book Pro connected to my LCD TV. I’m sitting on my couch, with the keyboard on my lap (actually the keyboard box is on my lap, the keyboard sitting on top of it (slight elevation). I’ve used it since it came out and I have no regrets. The keys have a nice touch to them (sort of a textured feel that just feels good on the fingers) and it’s very easy to get your work done. I keep the box on my lap and keyboard on top of the box.

This serves two functions, slight elevation (better for the wrists) and when I’m done I can put the keyboard back inside the case (thus keeping dust to a minimum).

Pros:

• Nicely designed keyboard with just the right amount of space between the keys (if you used the new thin keyboard from apple, you will fit right in, if you have used any of their laptops, the same applies).
• Pairing takes a few seconds (very easy), and couldn’t be easier.
• The keys have a nice textured feel to them, I love having the function keys and this keyboard really is all you need (it took me a while to see the light, don’t let that happen to you, less really is more).
• 9 month battery life
• Box makes a nice case, and a makeshift desk for your living room.

Cons:

• No full sized option (though I do like the smaller size and would not want to go back now)
• Not as nice as the keyboards on the key laptops (I was really hoping the new keys would be like the ones on the new Mac Book Pros (which I have and love the keyboard), but these are the same keys as from the previous keyboard. (Not really a bad thing, nor a con, but thought I’d bring it up).

Bottom Line?

Couldn’t be happier, I highly recommend checking out this keyboard and making it a part of your home. Just be sure to keep your box, it’s a nice “case” and “desk”.

See larger image Apple Wireless Keyboard (Retail Packaging) MC184LL/A [OLD VERSION] (Personal Computers) List Price: $69.99 USD Used from: $44.89 In Stock

Product Features

Technical Details

• Model Number: MC184LL/A
• System requirements: Bluetooth-enabled Mac computer; Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later and Aluminum Keyboard Software Update 2.0; existing keyboard and mouse for initial setup
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Power supply: 2 x AA batteries (included)
• Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
• What’s in the Box: Apple Wireless Keyboard, two AA batteries, printed documentation

I can’t ever go back to living without 5 buttons again (great for browsing Forward and Backward, as well as gaming)! The two side buttons are positioned comfortably for quick pressing, too.
The shape is also perfect. The mouse is compact but the back is plump (roughly 3.6 inches long, 2.3 inches wide, and 1.5 inches high), so it fits perfectly into my palm, eliminating hand fatigue. Good size for everyday use for small hands, but travel-sized for people with bigger hands. The batteries (included) last a few months even without using the Off switch.

The mouse turned out to be reliable. I had it replaced twice due to my computer no longer recognizing it, only to figure out eventually that the fault was with Microsoft Windows Bluetooth, not the mice. Read on for details.

The only problem with the mouse is that the provided information and manual are sparse, making it hard to decipher the various indicator signals and troubleshoot the mouse, and not even mentioning the manufacturer warranty.

Deciphering the LED

It turns out that the mouse uses the same indicator light for all 3 purposes, which is confusing since the manual doesn’t detail this. The blue indicator light for DPI is also used as a “pairing mode” indicator and battery-low indicator. Here’s what the light means:

• Continuous blinking means the batteries are low
• Continuously on means it is in pairing mode. The mouse will give up and the light will go off if the computer doesn’t find it after a few seconds.
• Blinking a few times, then stopping, indicates which of the 3 DPI settings it is using. The faster the blinks, the higher the DPI.

Warranty

The warranty is not stated anywhere, which is unfortunate because it does exist (at least 1 year according to vendor websites). The mouse is actually made by Syba. You can also see the RMA instructions. They don’t bother to troubleshoot the mouse; they just ship out a new one to you after you mail them your defective one (you pay the return postage, though not the replacement postage).

Windows won’t recognize Bluetooth mice anymore issue

It turned out that these mice weren’t defective–turns out that Windows 7′s registry gets inexplicably corrupted from time to time and won’t recognize or pair with Bluetooth mice anymore! (I actually went out and bought a Microsoft Notebook Mouse 5000 to verify this.) (To deal with this problem, I have to regularly create System Restore points to backup the registry, then restore to an earlier point whenever the Bluetooth pairing stops working. Has happened twice so far in a few months!) But we should blame Microsoft Windows, not the mouse.
So for those of you whose mouse is longer recognized by your computer, first make sure that it is not actually a problem with the operating system. Switching DPIs can also help with using the mouse on different surfaces and software. Haven’t experienced the jiggling problem.

In sum, I would buy this mouse over and over again!

See larger image Connectland CL-MOU23014 Bluetooth Wireless Optical Mouse (Personal Computers) List Price: $16.90 USD New From: $13.08 In Stock

However in this case, this Keyboard has compelled me to review it because it far exceeds my expectation. Because of its modest price I was expecting some lightweight plastic thing with some clunky noisy buttons and it’s not at all like that. The unit feels wonderful to the touch and it’s not like a toy at all. Although the Amazon description doesn’t tell you that this includes a USB transceiver for your PC, it DOES come with the Bluetooth sending unit that plugs into your USB port. I actually ordered two more of those separately. hey haven’t arrived yet.

Hey now I know this is gonna sound funny but I use it to be able to compute while in bed, but this is what looks like an EXECUTIVE TOY to me. Real professional like. It has a low price but this thing is made for the professional that has everything (and it helps if they do presentations too).

And wow is it like ever easy to install! I was using it with in a minute of noticing that it had the transmitter.

It went kinda like this…
After the mini keyboard was delivered, I was looking it over knowing that I would have to wait for my Bluetooth transmitters to arrive (ordered separately). I couldn’t help but read over the manual; charged it too so it would be ready for when my other shipment arrived. Nowhere in the manual did it mention that there was a Bluetooth USB transmitter that came with it AND I didn’t expect there to be because the Amazon site doesn’t mention it either.

As I fiddle with my new toy in expectation of using it someday soon I noticed…

“Hey wow, what’s this little thing in this port on the side?”
“oOo a secret compartment.”
“What the heck is this tiny tiny thing in here?”
“hmm.. looks like it would fit in a USB slot… but this is too tiny to be something functional… surely its just a usb dust cover or something.”

I thought to myself, “oh how nice of them to include this I’ll use it for sure.”

I plugged it into the USB port and a light came on… ha-ha! A light came on in my head too as the operating system said, “recognized new device blah blah blah installing.” I dropped the included CD into the drive and a few seconds later I was using the new keyboard. I did it twice more on other comps in the house (WinXP, Vista & Windows7). Easy… every time… just odd that Amazon and the manual don’t mention that it comes with a transceiver.

I just can’t express it enough though. A value at double the price; an unbelievable deal at under $50. This is a great gift for ANY executive! Works great in bed too. Give one to someone special. I wouldn’t mind having a couple more myself.

See larger image Magic-Pro ProMini 2 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard (Built-in TouchPad/Laser Pointer) - Black (Personal Computers) List Price: $0.00 USD New From: $44.00 In Stock

Perfect control PC entertainment features -
Innovative design of the Navigation keys, convenient and practical multimedia control keys and Bluetooth wireless technology to provide you with as far as 10 meters of the PC control capabilities, backlight lamp designed to allow you to even in dim light, it is also able to easily enter text, browse the web, lying on a sofa playing computer games.

The perfect keyboard, touch, laser pointer combination -
Whether it is teaching, training or speech, keyboard, mouse, laser pointer in one hand and hand, three-dimensional explanation, a more lively! The instructor must have the best weapon.

Bluetooth 2.0 Mini Keyboard :
•Support iPad (3.2, 4.0)/iPhone/iPhone 3G/iPhone 3GS (4.0+)/Smart Mobile System/Nokia Symbian S60 System/Android System/HTC/PC/laptop and HDPC/MacOS 10.2.8 or later/Sony PS3 Player

Features:
• Use Broadcom 2042 Chipset with wireless Bluetooth 2.0 interface
• Features comfortable, ergonomic design with 49 keys
• The intelligence power source management system helps you conserve battery power for when you really need it.
• battery life longer than similar products by 50%
• Built-in software solutions with Bluetooth human interface device and comply with the standard version of the Bluetooth SIG Bluetooth 2.0
• Built-in rechargeable Li-ion batter, support USB charge
• Use with non-BT equipped PC or Laptop require a USB Bluetooth adapter (come with the adapter)

System Requirement :
• Windows 2000, CE, XP, Vista and 7
• MacOS 10.x or later (10.5.8 tested)<
• Linux (Debian 3.1 / Redhat 9.0 / Ubuntu 8.10 / Fedora 7.0)

The keyboard snaps closed to the size of two Blackberry’s side-to-side. It comes with a case to prevent scratching and other damage.

A little stand pulls out, as illustrated in the product pictures, and is great to use to support my phone.

I have trouble customizing the function keys. I don’t know if its my own ineptitude or the keyboard, but I admit I haven’t tried very hard to program it. The customized function keys would be great to use, though.

I am satisfied with this wireless keyboard and would recommend it to those who take notes during meetings, classes, or are frequently on the road but need a way to type out ideas, letters, or correspondence.

Technical Details

• HID Profile – Used for connecting to Symbian and Windows Mobile Smartphones. SPP Profile – Used for connecting to BlackBerry’s and Android based phones (Note: Android drivers are currently under development).
• Separate LED indicators to show power and connection status.
• Pull out, folding, device stand.
• Uses two AAA batteries for long life (Over 90 hours use and 3000 hours standby) and ease of replacement.
• 6 Dedicated keys to: Answer Call, End/Reject call, Open Messages/email, Open Address book, Open task and Open Calendar.

See larger image Bluetooth Folding KeyBoard for PDA's Apple iPad iPad 2 / PC's / Smart Phones / BlackBerry / Android OS (Wireless Phone Accessory) List Price: $119.95 USD New From: $60.05 In Stock Used from: $49.08 In Stock

I just got this today and have been playing with it for the last few hours. Here are my initial thoughts (and I will update this review in a week to see if I am still using it or putting it in the pile of unused accessories):

First off – it was very easy to set up. There were clear instructions on both the case and inside the box. Note that they give you a USB to mini-USB cable, but no power adapter. The keyboard does require power to charge it up – it only took about 30 minutes to charge it up out of the box. The BoxWave site says the keyboard will last 45 days on one charge – we’ll see!

Bluetooth pairing was easy – one online review for the keyboard complained that the pairing was annoying because you have to get a pin to push the pairing button – yes, you have to find a paper clip or something small, but it only has to be done once and that’s it. No big deal. I’m not sure if the keyboard Bluetooth use is going to drain the phone substantially – I was using it all night and making calls, and my iPhone still had plenty of charge, so I will have to report more on this after using it for a bit.

Typing on the keyboard was pretty nice. The depth of the press and the click is very nice and responsive. The characters I typed were consistently appearing on the iPhone (including the wrong keys that I would press by accident, of course) correctly. Several online reviews complained the placement of the space bar (which is on the right bottom of the keyboard) was difficult to adapt to. I actually found no problems with this at all – probably because I end up typing most of my spaces with my right thumb. On the onscreen iPhone keyboard, I used to accidentally type “n” all the time instead of a space; with this keyboard, I get a space consistently). It probably could be a problem if you normally hit the space bar with your left thumb since it is pretty far to the right side.

Like any new mini keyboard, you need to get used to the key spacing and the placement of all of the symbols. Once again, several reviews complained that the keyboard was difficult to use and type on – I’m not sure what they are talking about since after using it for a bit, I noticed that I started typing pretty fast (but not blazingly fast, yet) with less incorrect keystrokes. You do have to train your brain since the layout is different though from other keyboards.

Note that there are no small bumps on a couple of the keys so that you can feel where you are on the keyboard. There is no back light, so it was tough typing in the dark without angling it to try to see the keys in any partial light that was available.

Other typing-related stuff:
* You can toggle the on-screen keyboard on and off using the Fn+Space Bar – nice to have for applications like BeeJive that automatically puts the onscreen keyboard up when you open it

* Has cursor keys in the lower right – I forgot how nice it is NOT to always have to touch the screen just to back up a few spaces to insert a character

* Has a Home key in the upper left – nice for getting back to the Home screen, but keep in mind that the Home screen is only in Portrait mode so you’ll be looking at a lot of things sideways with the keyboard open

* Has a Search key which opens up the Search function – I don’t normally use this feature that much, but I guess it’s nice to have on the keyboard

* AutoCorrect kind of works (unlike what some of the online reviews said) – I’m not sure if the iPhone just needed to relearn how you type, but when I first started typing with the keyboard (in Mail), I was spelling all kinds of things wrong and the iPhone wasn’t helping me out. Then, it started to suggest some words. AutoCorrect for words seemed to work in Mail, BeeJive and Messages, but Notes had a real problem for a while – I thought that AutoCorrect might not work in Notes, but after writing a half of page of stuff, AutoCorrect started to function.

* Unfortunately, Capitalization of first letters of sentences and fixing two letters that are capitalized do not get auto-corrected. It took a bit of typing, but apostrophes did finally seem to start appearing automatically if you just typed words like, “dont” and “cant”.

* Unlike the Blackberry keyboards, you have to hold down the Shift key or the Fn key while clicking the key you want to capitalize or to get the corresponding symbol – you can’t just push it, let go and then type the key. That’s a bit tough if you need to capitalize a letter on the left side of the keyboard because your thumb is still holding down the Shift key so you gotta stretch with your right thumb!

* Double tapping the Space Bar does not get you a period either, but the period is on its own key (you just have to remember where it is)

Other stuff I noticed:
* The weight of the iPhone at the top of this light keyboard is a bit funky feeling – it’s very top heavy and you do have to find just the right angle to hold and type so that it feels relatively comfortable.

* When you slide out the keyboard, the iPhone screen doesn’t automatically light up. This makes sense since it’s not integrated into the iPhone, but you get used to that if you use other phones where the display just automatically lights up when you slide out the keyboard.

* You can turn off the keyboard to stop the Bluetooth connection (and I guess save battery). Once you turn it back on and click on the iPhone display, it seemed to take about five seconds for the Bluetooth to establish a connection again. Note that I think you have to click on a key on the keyboard to start up the connection; otherwise, if you don’t, the Bluetooth symbol on the iPhone appears to be grayed out still. However, once you press a key on the keyboard, the Bluetooth started to handshake and you could use the keyboard after a few seconds.

* If you leave the keyboard on, but the iPhone display turns off, I noticed that it takes about a second or two after you hit a key on the keyboard for the keyboard to start responding. Just keep in mind that you can’t just slide the keyboard out (if the iPhone display is off) and expect it to start working right away. I think I’ll get into the habit of turning on display FIRST and then sliding out the keyboard, just to give the keyboard a chance to re-establish a connection.

As for the case, it’s plastic-y case with a semi-rubberized feel – just enough to keep it from slipping on an inclined surface. It is molded so that you have full access to the buttons and connectors on the sides. The camera and LED light are completely unobstructed which is very nice. The only thing I’m worried about is that I have a tendency to drop my phone a lot – my thinking is that if I dropped this on a hard floor, I don’t think the case will provide much cushioning and my guess is that the keyboard will probably shatter away from the case/phone – I’m going to do my best NOT to find this one out though!

Also, the keyboard does add a bit of heft and weight to the phone overall. However, the sliding mechanism seems pretty solid and stays closed when you don’t want the keyboard out. And yes, the keyboard is a bit pricey, so I’ll have to see if it’s worth the price or not after I use it for a while.

I’ll report back with an update – I’m curious about the iPhone battery use and whether I’ll get faster on the keyboard, so we’ll see!

2/28/2011 UPDATE – Surprisingly, the Bluetooth does not seem to drain the iPhone’s battery as much as I thought it would. I don’t have a problem getting through the whole day at work (after using the keyboard on and off throughout the day, using Mail for work emails and the other apps). I still seem to have at least 1/2 battery on the iPhone at the end of the day.

I am still using the keyboard – still not super fast at it, and although I make mistakes by brushing against too many keys at once, my fingers are starting to figure out where the keys are. After 2.5 weeks, I’m still not as fast as I was on the BlackBerry, but I’m working on it.

As for the battery on the BoxWave keyboard – OK, I’m not sure where 45 days comes from. I tried for a week turning off the keyboard at night and for another week just leaving the keyboard on the whole time. I still only got about 1 week of usage per charge. I think you can tell when the battery is dead when the keyboard is paired (you see the blue Bluetooth icon in the upper right of the screen), but you can’t get any letters to show up on the screen when you type. Charging took about 30-45 minutes.

Just keep in mind that when not in use, the Bluetooth turns off (and I think the keyboard goes to a standby mode), so you need to hit a few keys to wake everything back up before you can start typing.

See larger image BoxWave Keyboard Buddy iPhone 4/4S Case - Bluetooth Keyboard Case with Integrated Apple Commands for Apple iPhone 4/4S (Jet Black) (Electronics) List Price: $69.95 USD New From: $39.95 In Stock Used from: $27.00 In Stock

Technical Details

• Form-fitting shell designed to snap on securely to perfectly fit your iPhone 4
• Cut-out design for the touch screen so that you can keep the same tactile feel as using the iPhone 4 without a case
• Conveniently designed to provide quick access to all of iPhone 4′s controls, features, camera, and ports
• Integrated slide-out Bluetooth keyboard allows you to switch from the touch screen to a physical keyboard as desired
• Includes a USB cable to charge the integrated keyboard

My first impression was that this device was really small (about 1/3rd the size of a regular computer mouse) and that my average sized hands would not be able to get comfortable with it. Well I was wrong for my hand fits nicely around it and I am comfortable using it hours at a time. There was obviously some thought was put into the design as it feels sturdy yet still light. Another nice touch is the on/off switch at the bottom to save your AAA batteries. It is also not a power hog for I’ve used mine for about a month about 3-4 hours a day and I’m still using the batteries that came with it. It also came with a carrying bag that protects the mouse from banging around in my briefcase or backpack.

The second thing I noticed was how easy it was to install the software on my computer (Win XP) and getting it to work on my PDA (Ipaq 4150). I do recommend however that you read the directions, for some of the installation options are not obvious. After everything is said and done you get a on screen pointer that works like your stylus but has a scroll button.

This mouse works excellent with my IR keyboard from Belkin, and seems to be a natural fit when using a keyboard to input data. I had always found it cumbersome to a use a stylus while I was typing.

I would not recommend this mouse for people who use their PDA primarily for contacts and scheduling. I would however highly recommend this mouse for people who type in word with a wireless keyboard, or go to coffee shops and surf the web while doing work. The scroll button is an excellent feature to read long PDF documents and to surf web pages.

It has been a long time since I have been this satisfied with a product. That being said there are some quirks. The first is that having BlueTooth run on your PDA will cut down on its battery life. However, I still get mine to run for about 2.5-3 hours with the backlight on before I need to plug it into a wall. Secondly, the program to get the mouse to run does take up some space on the PDA. Finally, when you restart the PDA it takes some time to “rediscover” the mouse. Approximately 5-10 seconds.

I’d highly recommend this mouse to anyone who uses a keyboard to input information into their PDA. I have currently written about 1/3rd of my Masters Thesis on my PDA at a coffee shop at night using this mouse and a wireless keyboard.

See larger image iGo Mini Wireless Bluetooth Optical Mouse Stowaway Travel Mouse for PDA, Laptop & Desktop Computers MSBTUER (Personal Computers) List Price: $79.99 USD

Product Features

• Works with smartphones/PDAs, desktops and notebooks
• Support for Pocket Word, Excel, Messaging and other applications
• Small but ergonomic styling for maximum comfort
• Powered by 2 AAA batteries

Technical Details

• Brand Name: Think Outside
• Model: MSBTUE
• Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
• Input Device: Mouse
• Form Factor: External
• Connectivity Technology: Wireless
• Movement Detection: Optical
• Minimum system requirements: Microsoft Pocket PC, Apple MacOS X, Microsoft Windows
• Width: 2.2 inches
• Depth: 3.7 inches
• Height: 1 inches
• Weight: 2.6 Ounces
• Warranty: 1 year warranty

What’s in the Box?

• Stowaway travel mouse
• 2 AAA alkaline batteries (batteries last several weeks when used 3 to 4 hours per day)
• Carrying case
• CD with Pocket PC drivers (Uses Windows driver and HID, no driver needed)
• Start-up Guide

The connection is very robust. I read about some problems with the mouse going to sleep and having a slight lag when waking up but I did not notice that at all. The buttons are responsive and provide good feedback. I’m sure the wired connection will come in handy when the batteries run out and there aren’t any handy.

The only fault I could see with this mouse is that the forward and back buttons are a little too recessed and not quite easy to get to. They’re still usable though and I may just need to get used to their placement.

I love this mouse! The price is on the high side but I think it’s well worth it.

See larger image Razer Orochi Elite Mobile Gaming Mouse (Personal Computers) List Price: $79.99 USD New From: $69.00 In Stock Used from: $55.00 In Stock

Product Features

• Gaming optimized Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity
• Dual Mode Wired/Wireless Functionality
• Razer Synapse Onboard Memory
• 4000 dpi Razer Precision 3G Laser sensor
• Detachable three foot, lightweight, braided cord

Technical Details

• Brand Name: Razer
• Model: RZ01-00300100-R3U1
• Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
• Input Device: Mouse
• Form Factor: External
• Connectivity Technology: Wireless, Wired
• Movement Detection: Laser
• Minimum system requirements: Apple MacOS X 10.4 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition
• Color Name: Black
• Width: 2.7 inches
• Depth: 3.9 inches
• Height: 1.4 inches

Bluetooth to the rescue! Bluetooth allows short-range wireless connections.

The Logitech V470 is one of the few Bluetooth laser mice for laptops available. As far as I am concerned, it is the best.

The form factor is just right for my large hands. It is not as small as the otherwise capable Stowaway Bluetooth mouse – and not as large as the Logitech desktop mouse. The V470 is about 60% of the size of regular mouse.

The V470 runs on 2 AAA batteries, better I think than the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries found in some other mice. You can get AAA batteries anywhere, which is not the case with an AC outlet and the several hours needed to recharge a lithium-ion battery. Logitech doesn’t provide estimates of battery life, but from experience with other devices, I suspect it is substantial. There is an on-off switch provided.

The V470 is laser equipped and is capable of working on a wide variety of services without stuttering or skipping. I have tried it on laminate countertops and wooden tabletops without problems. Of course, on a laser mousepad, performance is superb. Travellers and beach bums will appreciate the fact that the V470 works very well when just traversed on a pants clad leg. (As any traveller can attest, such capability can be invaluable at times.)

The Logitech mouse software works well. Just be sure you have the latest version.

Setup on a contemporary Bluetooth equipped computer could not be simpler. Set up a new Bluetooth device on the computer. Turn on the mouse, click the connect button and you should have a connection within a few seconds. No password entry is required. The mouse works fine with the default Windows settings. The Logitech software adds a few features.

The V470 comes with a cheap fabric carrying pouch. For the money, I think they could have provided a molded hard case.

Overall, a terrific little mouse for mobile use. Everyone who carries a computer with them needs this device.

See larger image Logitech V470 Bluetooth Cordless Laser Mouse (Blue) (Personal Computers) List Price: $49.99 USD New From: $26.99 In Stock Used from: $32.00 In Stock

Product Features

• Bluetooth connectivity
• Laser precision
• 3-year warranty
• Side-to-Side scrolling plus zoom

Technical Details

• Device Type: Wireless Mouse
• Connection Type: Bluetooth
• Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
• Tracking Method: Laser
• Scrolling Capability: Yes
• Vertical Scroll: Yes

They also remembered that one advantage to using a wireless connection is it gives the user an option to place the handheld to any convenient location within range. The cradle however requires a distressing effort of bending and twisting to remove, which makes the user fear breaking the cradle.  Additionally, this board is designed for use by experienced touch typists, and does not require users to re-calibrate the fingers to type on significantly smaller keys as does the Freedom Keyboard.

Finally, despite its slightly Rube Goldberg appearance, this keyboard is solid, with a refreshing amount of metal in it’s construction. It will take some reasonable punishment – the HP iPaq and Freedom keyboards are cheap plastic children’s toys by comparison.

Pros

• Near full-size key spacing. Easy to for a touch typist to use accurately with no loss of speed or learning a new keyboard feel
• Unfolds and Folds easily
• Unfolds and locks securely – can be used in a lap without risk of board assuming the characteristic “V” shape of bent HP iPaq and Freedom keyboards.
• Folds to small size
• Removable cradle
• Easy to use software
• Simple power management: powers down upon closing; powers up when opened.
• Protective case included.

Cons

• No number/symbol row. Need to use awkward alt-key combinations. Not appropriate for extended numeric data entry or spreadsheets.
• Cradle difficult to remove
• Protective case cheap vinyl
• Does not sit totally flat on a flat surface.

Were I able, I would dock the Stowaway ½ star on two points: The lack of a number/symbol row of keys and it’s instability on a flat desk.

The absence of a number/symbol row reduces the width of the folded board by only ¾”. Given that I could replace my laptop with a handheld and folding keyboard if I had reliable means to enter numbers onto a spreadsheet, I would gladly accept a Stowaway model which is 4.25″ wide when folded, instead of the current 3.5″.
In all other ways, iGo built this board for professional use. They forgot however, those of us who crunch numbers on Excel, requiring use of cumbersome alt-key combinations (which cannot be locked) for numeric entry.

Although very stable when sitting on a desk, the unfolded board sits on a thin base 5.75″ long, with two cantilevered “wings” extending 2.25″ in the air past the sides of the base.
Thus, if both hands are not simultaneously on the keyboard to balance it, a keypress on either the extreme left or right side will make the board imitate a catapult. A hunt-and-peck, one or two fingered typist will find this frustrating, though a touch typist accustomed to both hands on the home keys will have little, if any, problem.

Compared to the HP iPaq Folding Bluetooth Keyboard or the Freedom Bluetooth Keyboard — arguably the only other choices for mobile Bluetooth keyboards — this Stowaway is the only one worth the money you spend for it. Remarkably, it has the lowest retail price of the three on Amazon.

At the time of this writing, the iGo Stowaway Keyboard is the clear winner in design, construction, and functionality over all other mobile Bluetooth keyboards. There are simply no other choices for the mobile professional.

Technical Details

• Foldable, full-size QWERTY keyboard wirelessly connects to Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and PDAs
• Weighs less than 6 ounces; folds to 5.5 x 3.9 x 0.5 inches
• User-programmable shortcut and command keys for fast access to other applications
• Download drivers automatically from your smartphone/PDA–no PC needed
• Includes carrying case and detachable PDA/phone stand

See larger image iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard for Blackberry and other PDA/ Handhelds (Wireless Phone Accessory) List Price: $149.99 USD New From: $349.00 In Stock Used from: $115.00 In Stock

Pros:

• No transceiver necessary, freeing up a USB port
• Ergonomic design for either hand
• Back button
• Comfortable, responsive scroll wheel
• On/Off button
• Low battery indicator
• Reliable connection
• Nice solid feel
• Looks nice
• No driver or software install required (or offered)
• Compatible with Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7/Mac OS X
• Supported by Microsoft’s great hardware warranty for 3 years

Cons:

• Somewhat short battery life
• Doesn’t automatically turn off to save battery
• AAA batteries difficult to remove when replacing
• Connection doesn’t always reconnect when resuming from sleep mode

Next to the scroll wheel, a back button is a mouse feature I cannot live without. Many mobile mice do not include a back button so it was easy to narrow down my choices. Guess how many mobile bluetooth mice have a back button? Try 1. The Microsoft Notebook Mouse 5000 was the only one I could find. That made my choice even easier. I love not having to fuss with a transceiver. Even though the VX Nano uses a micro-USB receiver, it still took up 1 of only 3 USB ports on my laptop.

I like the way the mouse feels and looks. It also comes with a nice padded case with a velcro enclosure. The scroll wheel is nice and comfortable to use and doesn’t feel flimsy like some tend to do. Battery life is just okay. It’s rated at 3+ months but I have seen real-world results of closer to 2 months. I use it for probably 2-3 hours/day 7 days a week and I never turn it off. When I’m connected, I stay connected without any drops.

I view the lack of driver or software for required on the 5000 as a welcome feature. I never install Microsoft’s driver software or Logitech’s SetPoint software for my mice and keyboards. Sometimes I lose some functionality, mostly in programmable buttons and keys, but I’ve had enough driver-related issues on my system to cause me to avoid installing them.

See larger image Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 (Personal Computers) List Price: $49.99 USD New From: $23.00 In Stock Used from: $14.25 In Stock

I have only a few very minor complaints. Instead of only offering an on/off button, adding an automatic sleep/off feature would greatly improve battery life. When you do have to replace the batteries, you’ll struggle with removing the batteries a bit because the little pulls that help you remove the batteries are undersized. I don’t have long enough fingernails to easily grab the pulls. Lastly, whenever my laptop goes to sleep, I have to cross my fingers that the bluetooth connection gets reestablished. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. I have used the 5000 on my laptop with both Windows XP and Windows 7.

I thought that after a year, surely a new Microsoft, Logitech, or even Kensington bluetooth mouse would’ve been released that would take praise away from the 5000. Nope. This is still the best notebook bluetooth mouse on the market. The 3 year warranty isn’t as long as I would like, but Microsoft’s hardware warranty is easier to deal with than any other company’s I’ve experienced. Logitech’s support is great, but Microsoft’s is excellent. Confidently purchase this wonderful mouse and you will be satisfied with the outcome.